Program Besieged by Criticism After Failure of Fisker Automotive

WASHINGTON—The Energy Department said Wednesday it is reviving a loan program to support advanced fuel-efficient vehicles that fell out of favor after two of the first five recipients halted operations.

The loan program was launched under President George W. Bush and expanded by President Barack Obama, but it hasn't made any new loans since 2011. Some major U.S. auto makers declined to participate, saying they thought the loan process...